Aviation community salutes completion of $4M renovation project

A ribbon cutting happened Tuesday afternoon to mark the completion of a $4 million project towards the Army Aviation Support Facility.

The project improved work areas, classrooms and heating and air systems throughout the facility which were originally built in 1956.

“We can get gear, our briefs, flight plan and get our equipment all in one area instead of having to jump back and forth, going up and down a couple of stairs and then we can get out to the aircraft as fast as we can,” Pilot, Dylan Swepston.

Construction began on the building in 2017 and over 37,000 square feet was renovated.

“There was a little paint and the lighting was poor, it really didn’t have any upgrades so this is one of the final series of upgrades we’ve had,” Retired Pilot, Tom Schuurmans. “Absolutely incredible, it makes me want to come back and fly again.”

Maj. Gen. Daryl Bohac and Governor Pete Ricketts were among the speakers at the ribbon cutting.

“You all should be proud of this facility and what it represents, it represents that commitment to give you the tools and the facilities you need in order to complete your mission,” Ricketts said.

Those who have been going in and out of the building say it’s much more efficient. It’s very important for the National Guard to be prepared to go anytime, at anywhere they are needed.

“Our aviation community has always been able to do that and working out of a facility that makes it much easier for them to be prepared to do that,” Schuurmans said.